Alfred g



(No Model.)

A. G. HOLOOMBE. ELBGTRIGAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM.

No. 432,618. Patented Jul 22, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED G. I-IOLCOMBE, OF LON Cr ISLAND CITY, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRIC SIGNAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NETV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 432,618, dated July 22, 1890.

Application filed January 6, 1890. Serial No. 335,985. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: mentioned, and for the relay R to attract its Be it known that I, ALFRED G. HOLCOMBE, armature, thereby keeping open the local ciracitizen of the United States, residing atLong cuit oi the ordinary recorder or register P. Island City, State of N ew York, have invented Between the posts It and N there is a branch 55 5 certain newand useful Improvements in Eleccircuit around the resistance that is closed trical Communicating Systems, of which the when a signal is to be transmitted. Starting following is a specification. from the post N a wire 71 runs to a spring-arm Hyinvention relates more especially to sysa, normally resting against an upper stop n tems of police signaling or such like systems electrically connected with a stop a against 60 I in which a number of sub-stations are conwhich a spring-arm It is pressed by the ar-- nected for communication with a central stamature-lever M when retracted by its spring. tiOll- From 7.; a wire k runs to the post 70. The The object of the invention is to provide an spring-finger m is connected by a Wire m with efficient single-circuit system in which the a key-lever m adapted to be pressed down 65 I 5 sub-stations are connected in series in the cirupon the spring-arm n to force it out of con ouit. I employ a closed circuit and provide tact with the post n forapurpose hereinafter an organization by which an increase of curdescribed. The circuit passes through each rent is thrown upon the line during the transsub-station, as indicated at A-that is, a line mission of a signal. To accomplish this I runs to a signal-transmitting leverA, carry- 70 preferably employ a single battery, a resisting a spring-contact bearing normally upon a ance being normally in the line-circuit and contact-post a, which is electrically connected shunted or out out when the line is ready for by wire a with a key or switch-lever A northe transmission of asignal as well as during mallybearing upon a post or contact a from the sending of a signal. which the line passes through the coil of a 75 The various features of my invention will sounder or magnet of a visual indicator, as the be obvious from the following specification, case maybe. From the lever A a branch wire and accompanying drawings, which is a diaa: runs to a stop 00, against which a contact-arm grammatic view illustrating a central station X is normally pressed by a projection on the and three outlying or sub-stations. spring-drum Y of an ordinary call-box, the 80 A B Crepresent the substations, and D the arm X being connected to the wire a. The central station. Starting from one pole of lever A carries the ordinary roller that works the main battery M B, the circuit is through in the notches of the ordinary toothed signalthe coil of a receiving-relay R, thence through wheel Y. The back or under stop of the the sub-station apparatusA B C, as presently switch or key lever A is connected bya wire, 85 3 5 described, through the stop and lever of akey including an incandescent lamp Z, with the K at the central station to a post 7n, where main line beyond the sounder S.

the circuit divides. One branch I passes The operation is as follows: Assuming that through the coils of a magnet U, thence by the line is not in use and that a patrolman Wire Z to a spring-finger m, that is pressed wishes to send a signal from box A to the 90 against the stop on by a block of insulating central station,l1e sends in the desired signal material on the armature-lever M, which is by moving the spring-drum Y in the ordinary attracted by the magnet M. From m the way, as is well understood,merelypermitting circuit extends by wire 12 through a rheostat the lever X to be retracted by its spring and Rh to apost N, where the line again branches. open the branch circuit a; :r at the eaILboX. 5 One branch 13 extends through the coil of a In returning to its normal position the springbuzzer O, and thence to the opposite pole of drum Y carries with it the toothed wheel Y, the main battery. This is the normal closed the teeth of which acting upon the lever A circuit, and the resistance Rh being included opens the main circuit at- (b the desired mum in the line the buzzer O is not actuated, but her of times, and at the first breaking of the ICC) the strength of the current is sufficient for the line-circuit the magnet M at the central sta magnet M to attract its armature, as above tion releases its armature M, which, being retracted by its spr'm g, throws the spring-arm it against the stop a and permits the springarm m to leave the stop on. The resistance Rh and magnet M are 110w shunted or cut out of the circuit, the current passing from the post N by wire it, spring-arm n, stop n post a spring-arm 7a, and wire 70 to the post k and line. The full strength of the battery becomes effectiveand the buzzer O commences to sound, thereby attracting the attention of the central-station attendant. At each break in the circuit the armature-lever of the relay R goes to its back stop, closing the local of the register P and recording the signal upon the paper strip 19. In addition to this signal transmitted by the lever A, and which should include the number of the box and the particular signal sent, as is well understood, the patrolman maytelegraph to the central station, according to any predetermined code, by the manipulation of the key or switch A all such signals being received upon the register P, and in like manner the attendant at the central station may telegraph to the sub-station by the manipulation of the key K, such signals being manifested at the sub-station upon the sounder S or by flashing of the incandescent lamp Z,

according to the position of the key or switch A \Vhenever the line is in use, the increased current causes the armature-levers of the sounders S to be attracted at all the sub-stations, and this serves as an indication to any one coming to the boxes that thelineisin use. To better evidence this fact an indicatingdisk 8 may be carried by the armature-lever and arranged in suitable relation to an aperture in easing or frame of the box, as is well tarily depressed against the arm n, forcing it out of contact with the stop n the effect being to open the shunt or branch around the resistance and magnet M at the point 72 and completing a circuit through 41, m m and Z through the coils of the magnet M to line,"

thereby energizing the magnet, which attracts its armature and re-establishes the normal condition with the resistance in the line, as already described.

The details of the call-boxes may be of any suitable character, as may also those of the other parts of the apparatus.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a normally-closed circuit including a source of electric energy, and central-station apparatus and sub-station apparatus in series, a resistance and magnet M, normally included in the circuit at the central station, and a normally-open branch or shunt around the resistance and magnet, and contact devices by which said shunt is closed when the main circuit is opened and the armature of the magnet retracted.

2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of anormally-closed circuit including a source of electric energy and central-station apparatus and sub-station apparatus in series, agesistance and a magnet M normally included in the circuit at the cent 'al station, and a normally-open branch or shunt around the resistance and magnet, and contact devices by which said shunt is closed when the main circuit is opened and the armature of the magnet retracted, and a buzzer or indicator in the main circuit that is thrown into action when said shunt is completed.

3. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a normally-closed circuit including a source of electric energy and central and sub station apparatus, a resistance and magnet M normally in circuit, a branch or shunt around said magnet and resistance that is closed when the main circuit is broken and the armature-lever retracted, and a key or switch m whereby said branch is broken and a second branch or derived circuit including the coils of the magnet M momentarily completed, whereby the armature of said magnet is again attracted to restore the normal condition of the circuit.

4. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a normally-closed main line including a source of electrical energy and central and sub station apparatus, a resistance and magnet M normally in circuit, a branch or shunt around said magnet and resistance that is closed when the main circuit is broken, a signaling device ateach sub-station for opening and closing the circuit, a receiving or recording apparatus at the central station for indicating such breaks in the circuit,a key K at the central station for signaling the sub stations by opening and closing the circuit, and a receiving apparatus at each substation bywhich such signals are manifested.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a normally-closed main line includ ing a source of electrical energy and central and sub station apparatus, a sounder or visual indicator at each sub-station, a branch wire including an incandescent lamp around said sounder, and a switch for opening the circuit through the sounder-coil and completing the circuit through the branch including the lamp.

6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a normally-closed main line including a source of electrical energy and central and sub station apparatus, a resistance and magnet M normally in line, a branch or shunt circuit around said resistance and magnet that is completed when the main line is opened and the armature-lever of said mag- In testimony whereof I hzwe hereunto subscribed my name.

ALFRED G. I-IOLCOMBE.

Witnesses:

EDWARD C. DAVIDSON, MAMIE J. KELLEY. 

